Water-glass Module on Mechanical Properties of Geopolymer Recycled Aggregate Concrete

Geopolymer recycled aggregate concrete (GRAC) was prepared by replacing cement with geopolymer and natural aggregate with wast concrete. The effect of water-glass modules on mechanical properties of GRAC was studied. It was found that there are tow kind of binding structures in geopolymer hydration product: C-A-S-H and N-A-S-H, they both contribute to the strength of GRAC. The value of size conversion coefficient of current national standard is inapplicable for GRAC, the calculation method of which is given in this paper. Elasticity modulus and peak stress of GRAC is proportional to water-glass modulus, and peak strain is inversely proportional and its constitutive equation was established.

Mechanical Properties of Tibetan Rubble Stone Masonry Under Uniaxial Compression

Basic mechanical properties of Tibetan rubble stone masonry, a unique architectural structure in western China, may affect the bearing capacity of architectural structures. In this study, a compression test was carried out on a Tibetan rubble prism to investigate its failure mechanism and stress-strain characteristics under uniaxial compression. Based on the experimental results, we obtained two simple compression constitutive models for Tibetan rubble stone masonry, established equations applicable to predicting the compressive strength of Tibetan rubble stone masonry, and obtained a relationship between compressive strength and the elasticity modulus through a regression analysis.

Compressive and Tensile Elastic Properties of Concrete: Empirical Factors in Span Reinforced Structures Design

Concretes with the same strength can have various deformability that influences span structures deflection. In addition, a significant factor is the non-linear deformation of concrete dependence on the load. The main deformability parameter of concrete is the instantaneous modulus of elasticity. This research aims to evaluate the relation of concrete compressive and tensile elastic properties testing. The beam samples at 80 × 140 × 1400 cm with one rod Ø8 composite or Ø10 steel reinforcement were experimentally tested. It was shown that instantaneous elastic deformations under compression are much lower than tensile. Prolonged elastic deformations under compression are close to tensile. It results in compressive elasticity modulus exceeding the tensile. The relation between these moduli is proposed. The relation provides operative elasticity modulus testing by the bending tensile method. The elasticity modulus’s evaluation for the reinforced span structures could be based only on the bending testing results. A 10% elasticity modulus increase, which seems not significant, increases at 30–40% the stress of the reinforced span structures under load and 30% increases the cracking point stress.

A setup to characterize the tensile mechanical properties of poly(L-lactic acid) materials applied in bioresorbable polymer stents

A method for testing mechanical properties of miniature poly(L-lactic acid)(PLLA) specimens is instrumented and set up in this research. This method is specially designed to measure mechanical properties, including elasticity modulus, yield strength and breaking elongation, of miniature PLLA specimens in three different shapes at various tensile speeds and temperatures. Moreover, the measurement results are significantly dependent on the tensile speeds and temperatures. This phenomenon further verifies the obvious existence of the viscoelasticity of PLLA. Finally, it can be concluded that, with this method, mechanical properties of PLLA can be better investigated and understood, especially for PLLA used for biodegradable polymer stents.

Antiosteoporosis Effect and Possible Mechanisms of the Ingredients of Fructus Psoraleae in Animal Models of Osteoporosis: A Preclinical Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective. Fructus Psoraleae (FP) and its ingredients (IFP) have a variety of biological activities and are widely used to treat osteoporosis (OP). Herein, we conducted a systematic review to evaluate the efficacy of IFP for an animal model of OP from the current literatures. Potential mechanisms of IFP in the treatment of OP were also summarized. Materials and Methods. We carried out a search for electronic literature in the PubMed, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, EMBASE, Wanfang, Web of Science, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and Cochrane Library, as well as Chinese VIP databases targeting articles published from inception to June 2021. The inclusion criteria were animal studies that assessed the efficacy and safety of IFP for OP, regardless of publication status or language. The exclusion criteria included (1) other types of studies (in vitro studies, case reports, clinical trials, reviews, abstracts, comments, and editorials), (2) combination with other compounds, (3) compared with other traditional Chinese medicine, (4) not osteoporosis or bone loss model, (5) studies with insufficient data, (6) lack of a control group, and (7) duplicate publications. The modified Collaborative Approach to Meta-Analysis and Review of Animal Data from Experimental Stroke (CAMARADES) 10-item quality checklist was used to evaluate the risk of bias of included studies. We computed the relative risk (RR) and the standard mean difference (SMD) for dichotomous outcomes and continuous outcomes, respectively. When heterogeneity was detected or there was significant statistical heterogeneity ( P < 0.05 or I 2 > 50 % ), a random-effects model was employed, followed by further subgroup analysis and metaregression estimations to ascertain the origins of heterogeneity. Otherwise, we used a fixed-effects model ( P ≥ 0.05 or I 2 ≤ 50 % ). The primary outcome measures were bone mineral density (BMD), serum osteocalcin(S-OCN), bone volume over total volume (BV/TV), trabecular number (Tb.N), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), trabecular separation (Tb.Sp), bone maximum load, and elasticity modulus. The secondary outcome measure was the antiosteoporosis mechanisms of IFP. The STATA 12.0 software was used to analyze the data. Results. Overall, 16 studies focusing on 379 animals were enrolled into the study. The risk of bias score of included studies ranged from 4 to 7 with an average score of 5.25. The present study provided the preliminary preclinical evidence that administration of IFP could significantly increase the S-OCN, BMD, BV/TV, and Tb.N while Tb.Th and Tb.Sp were remarkably decreased by IFP in OP model animals ( P < 0.05 ). Moreover, IFP could significantly improve the bone biomechanical indicator bone maximum load and elasticity modulus ( P < 0.05 ). In terms of the possible mechanisms of treatment of OP, IFP exerts anti-OP effects in animal models probably through osteoprotegerin/receptor activator of the nuclear factor-κB ligand/receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB (OPG/RANKL/RANK), peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ)/Axin2/Wnt, antioxidative stress via forkhead box O3a (FoxO3a)/Axin2/Wnt, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR), estrogen-like effect, and gamma-aminobutyric acid/gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor (GABA/GABABRI) signaling pathway. Conclusion. Taken together, the findings suggest the possibility of developing IFP as a drug or an ingredient in diet for the clinical treatment of OP. We recommend that rigorous, as well as high-quality, trials involving large sample sizes should be conducted to confirm our findings.

Experimental Study on Mechanical Damage and Fracture Characteristics of Granite under Different Water Cooling Conditions

In order to investigate the mechanical property deterioration and fracture characteristics of granite under different temperature drop and thermal cycle conditions, the evolution laws of mechanical properties, acoustic emission event distribution, and macro and micro failure characteristics of granite under different temperature changes were studied and analyzed by the servo loading, acoustic emission monitoring, and scanning electron microscope systems. The following conclusions were gained from the test results. (1) The peak stress and elasticity modulus of the three temperature drop treatments all decreased with the increase of the number of thermal cycles. In terms of magnitude, the following relationship was satisfied: 10°C > 15°C > 20°C. After 8 cycles, the peak stress and elasticity modulus tended to be stable for 15°C and 20°C temperature drops. (2) At a temperature drop of 20°C, the heterogeneity first increased and then tended to be stable; when the temperature was dropped by 15°C at each cycle, however, the heterogeneity first decreased and then became stable; as for the case of 10°C, the heterogeneity showed an overall decreasing trend. After 4 cycles, the heterogeneities were ranked as 15°C > 20°C > 10°C. After 8 cycles, 20°C > 15°C > 10°C. (3) With the decrease of temperature drop amplitude or the increase of cycles, the connectivity of microcracks in granite improved on the whole, the aperture and shape factor of microcracks increased, the damage of granite intensified, and the duration of the quiet period in the acoustic emission ringing count rate prolonged. (4) The tensile failure dominated at a temperature drop amplitude of 10°C. When the temperature drop was 15°C, the failure mode transitioned from hybrid tension-shear failure to tensile failure as the cycle times increased, whereas the hybrid tension-shear failure dominated with a temperature drop of 20°C.

Ultrasonic biomechanics method for vortex and wall motion of left ventricle: a phantom and in vivo study

Background The non-invasive quantitative evaluation of left ventricle (LV) function plays a critical role in clinical cardiology. This study proposes a novel ultrasonic biomechanics method by integrating both LV vortex and wall motion to fully assess and understand the LV structure and function. The purpose of this study was to validate the ultrasonic biomechanics method as a quantifiable approach to evaluate LV function. Methods Firstly, B-mode ultrasound images were acquired and processed, which were utilized to implement parameters for quantifying the LV vortex and wall motion respectively. Next, the parameters were compared in polyvinyl alcohol cryogen (PVA) phantoms with different degree of stiffness corresponding to different freezing and thawing cycles in vitro. Finally, the parameters were computed in vivo during one cardiac cycle to assess the LV function in normal and abnormal subjects in vivo. Results In vitro study, the velocity field of PVA phantom differed with stiffness (varied elasticity modulus). The peak of strain for wall motion decreases with the increase of elasticity modulus, and periodically changed values. Statistical analysis for parameters of vortex dynamics (energy dissipation index, DI; kinetic energy fluctuations, KEF; relative strength, RS; and vorticity, W) based on different elasticity (E) of phantom depicted the good viability of this algorithm. In vivo study, the results confirmed that subjects with LV dysfunction had lower vorticity and strain (S) compared to the normal group. Conclusion Ultrasonic biomechanics method can obtain the vortex and wall motion of left ventricle. The method may have potential clinical value in evaluation of LV dysfunction.

Properties of Fibre-Reinforced High-Strength Concrete with Nano-Silica and Silica Fume

This study intends to assess the influence of steel fibres (SF) and polypropylene fibres (PPF) on the hardened and fresh state properties of high-strength concrete (HSC). For this purpose, 99 concrete mixes were designed and applied. SF and PPF were used at six-volume replacement contents of 0%, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4% and 0.5%. Moreover, nano-silica (NS) was used at three contents, 0%, 1% and 2%, and silica fume powder (SP) was also used at three weight ratios (0%, 5% and 10%). The slump, compressive and tensile strength, elasticity modulus, water absorption and the electric resistivity of concrete specimens were examined. The results showed that using 1% NS and 10% SP together with 0.5% PPF improved the compressive strength of HSC by about 123%; however, the effect of SF on tensile strength is more significant and adding 0.5% SF with both 2% NS and 10% SP increased the tensile strength by 104%. Moreover, increasing the SF content reduces the electric resistivity while using PPF improves this property especially when 1% NS was employed, and it was enhanced by about 68% when 0.5% SF and 1% NS were utilized with 10% SP.

Estimation of the Elasticity Modulus of Composite Electroplated Coatings during Their Layer-by-Layer Deposition

Introduction. To keep automobiles and tractors in operation conditions, it is necessary to restore the inner cylindrical surfaces of the friction pair parts. This is the most laborintensive activity. The method of electroplated contact deposition of composite coatings, based on elastic plastic deformation of formed layers, is used for repairing surfaces. To use this method it is necessary to determine the values of the elasticity modulus, on which the wear resistance of tribocouplings depends. Materials and Methods. For the study, cylindrical samples made of 30 HGSA and 30 HGSNA steels were used. Electrolyte containing 200–250 g/l chromium oxide, 2.0–2.5 g/l sulfuric acid, and distilled water was used for electroplating the coatings. When calculating the stress-strain state, the apparatus of continuum mechanics was used. Results. The dependence of the coating pliability as a function of the parameters of individual elementary layers is determined. When the multilayer coating of three types (orthogonal-reinforced, cross-reinforced and quasi-isotropic) is applied, its structure does not depend on the angles of kinematic tool movement on the inner cylindrical surface of the part. For each type of coatings, the way to determine the constant stiffness coefficients of the layers is specified. The dependences for calculating the elasticity modulus of the applied material are derived from the values of the stiffness coefficients. Discussion and Conclusion. In determining the modulus of elasticity of multilayered composite coatings, the calculation is made for the individual layers by passing to the convective coordinates, which is in complete agreement with the Lagrange point of view on the study of the motion of a continuous medium. The results obtained are of practical significance in the selection of the coating material to be applied for the restoration of internal cylindrical surfaces.